Breakwater or the like



G. URIARTE.

BREAKWATER OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18. 1917.

1,353,001 PatentedSept. 14, 1920.

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BREAKWATER OR THE LIKE.

'APPLICA'IiION FILED I'ILAY 1's. L917.

PatentedSept. 14, 1920.

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, :BR AK A ER on THE IKE,

To all whom it may concern:

Belt known that I, (zoRooNIo URIARTE, a

. subject of the King of Spain, residing at Madrid, in the Kingdom of Spain, have in: vented Breakwaters or therlike, of which the following is a'specification.

One object oi my invention is to provide a novel form of masonry or other suitable structure particularly adapted to serve as a harbor defense or breakwater, whose form and disposition of parts shall be such as to render it practicallyindestructible by the action of the waves: and-at the same time etlicient in the hi hest degree in harmlessly dissipatingthe force of large, rapidly moving masses of water;the invention especially contemplating a structure designed to 1 present succession of obstacles or. barriers to each wave which will not only break as but will retard its flow and' dissipate its force. a

I further desireto provide a break water, jetty, pier or like structure of such form and disposition of parts as willeffe'ctually preventundermining or other destructive cut-' ting action ofthe waves, while allowing the escape of air otherwise compressed in front v of eachwave, at the bottom f such 'struc-' ture; the arrangement being such as to sub divideeach wave and progressively retard the movement oi the resulting separate masses of water- 1 Anotherobject of'my invention is to pro vide a novel combination of open work diaphra-gms" associated in vertical-and hori zontal planes in such manneras to not only progressively sub-divide the wives, but so direct the resulting bodies of water as to causethem to react in such manner as will retard their movement and expend their forcefl I It'is further desired to provide a diaphragmatic structure whose parts shall be so disposed as to cause each wave or moving body of water to be-sub-divided and its I movement opposed by other bodies of water in a quiescentstate;the diaphragms being arranged to break 'up the waves both in ver- 7 tical as 'well'as in ho'rizontal planes.- 0

.These objects and other advantageous ends I attainas here nafter set forth, reference being had to' the accompanylng draw1ngs,1n

"which,

or Melanin, srAnv;

Specification of Letters Patent. P a tfillt ed sept Application filed May 18, 1917. Serial 1%.. 169,595.

Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view illustrating the preterred form of my invention;

1. Fig. 2 is a plan of the structure shownin,

Fig. 3 is a transversevertical section on the line 3-3, Fig. 2; J 1 'Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line eer e- 5-.5,'Fig. 2; I

,Fig. 6 is a fragmentary a modification of the invention 7 I f 1 :As va result of extensiveobservation have found thatiharbor defensessuch as vertical section of F 5 is a. vertical section "on the line breakwaters, piers, jettiesl and {the like are liable toinjury? and ultimate destruction by 7 reason of undermining by a more or less explosive action of,- the highly compressedeair trapped'or confined by'each advancing wave or other body of Water at the bottom or lowerpart of the structure adjacent its point of junction with its supporting bed of rock,

etc, he expansionof such "compressed airi have found to cut out thefoundationsolt masonry structures as ordinarily made, so

that soone'r' or later itfis broken up and wrecked. L ifi f As a" result of thesejobservations andof practicalexperiments, Ihave found that if a wave or other moving :body of liquid be" divided andits various parts he directed'one upon the other'as well as upon suitable barriers in adefinite manner,.it is possible to gradually retardthe movement and dissipate the force" of such liquid without'permitting I it to do any damage. 'For this purpose I.

construct'my'breakwater'as shown injth'e ac-J V companying drawings wherein "1 represents a number of "columns having sharp vertical front edges' and; dart or 'arrow"'sh'aped in horizontal section,f so arranged as toconstitute aiseriesoff'definitely spaced cutwate'rsv whoserear portions are wider apart {than their head portions, These cutwatersare shown as built on and formed as .pai't -of solid masonry blocks 'or' bases 2 which may be placed directly. upon a rock bedfor {may be otherwise suitably supported infany of the ways familiar to; those skilledin ftheart In any; case howeventhe lowerends'o-f these cutwaters ,must'extend one meter below mean lowiwater leveland to height atf-le'ast 6 meters above high Water level. In order to properly brace the foundation blocks or footing courses I extend between each adjacent pair of them any suitable number of horizontal series of masonry struts 3 spaced apart by distances approximately equal to their thickness.

Immediately to the rear of each of the cutwaters 1 and spaced away from them in parallel vertical planes, are series of vertical columns 45 preferably of rectangular construction and of the same width as the adacent rear portionsof the cutwaters 1. Carried by these columns 1.45 are a series of horizontal. perforated diaphragms made up,

in the case illustrated, of sets of horizontal separated parallel panels 69 of which thoseof each set are arranged one above the other and are not only separated from each other vertically but are also spaced apart in their respective planes. In addition, each diaphragm includes struts 1013 running from front to rear between the cutwaters 1 and the. columns 4 and 5 immediately to the rear of it. s V r V v Ina typical case, the cutwaters 1 were spaced 3 m. 60 between center lines while the made up of a series of vertical columns 14 constituting cutwaters, immediately to the rear of'each of which &I6';i3WO other vertical columns 15 and 16, with said second cutwa'ters constituting a supporting frame for anumber of horizontal diaphragms made up of sets of horizontal panels '17.23. These latter are spaced more closelytogether vertically than are the panels of the diaphragms 69 and the columns of each set are braced from front to rear by panels 24-30. The cutwaters 14 are braced respectively .to the columns 5 immediately in front of them by panels 31-1-34 respectively included in the liaphragms of the first series 69. 'Likewise the rearmostcolumns 16 of the second set of panels 3642 are braced to the outwater columns 35 immediately to the rear of them and belonging to the third diaphragmatic structure. These panels are includedin the planes of the diaphragms 24-3O of {second diaphragmatic structure.

Immediately'to the rear of each of the cutwaters 35 are twovertical columns 48 and 44 which with them, serve as the sup porting frame for a third series of dia-' phragms 45 55, each of which includes other panels 56 and 57 extendingbetween the, columns 35, 43 and 44.

While in the breakwater illustrated, I

have shown threediaphragmatic structures,

obviously the number of these may be increased or diminished to suit any desired conditions, it being noted that the sharpened faces or heads of the cutwaters of the second set are more obtuse than those'of the ,cutwaters 1, and that the number of diaphragms in each of the three structures progre'ssively increases from 'front to rear of the breakwater. Further, while in a certain length of the first diaphragmatic structure, there are three out waters 1. with their associated columns 4 and v5, in. the second structure the number of cutwaters and col,- umns is doubled and this number is agai doubled in the third structure.

. In the .case illustrated, the distance 1367' tween the diaphragms of the first or outer series is 1 H1. and the horizontal distance between the cutwaters is-3 m. 60. o In l the second structure the. distance between thecutwaters is 1 m.'80 and c. m-.'be;- tween the diaphragms. In the third structure the distance between the cutwaters is .90

c. n. and ,the verticaldistancebetween the diaphragms 45 c. m. The topmost diaphragms of the three structures are all on the sameleveland the columns are extendedv above the same to a suitable height where they support a floor or roof 58. 1

WVith the above construction the body of an advancing wave, upon striking the cutedges of said .cutwaters to narrow their widths, although after passing the heads of said cutwaters these masses are allowed to expand in spaces which while of greater horizontal width,-are sub-divided vertically by the diaphragms of the first structure. As a result .of this, the velocity of the water is decreased andas it continues to movetc the'rear, its horizontal flow isiinpededby reason of its striking upon the front and side faces of the columns 4 anda). Moreover, since the crest of the wave advances at a higher rate of speed than the lower portion thereof,the upper parts'of the body of water pass downwardly through theopen- Waters 1, is divided-into a number of ver-- tical sections, which are forced by the sharp' ings in the diaphragm as they-movet owardthe rear, constantly passing fFOfiIHQrIOWGI to wider and thence to narrower spaces, both vertically and horizontally and strikinga succession of obstructions, witlithe,; -result that .the force of the wave is expended and the flow of its repeatedly sub-divided poi-'- tions is constantly impededyu'ntil finally it enters the comparatively wide spaceibe'twcen the first and second diaphragmatic 'struc tures whichis'filled with wateri in a quiet state. This further retards the movement of the advancing bodies of .liquid and if after mingling with this water the resultant-.mass v still possesses SLlffiClGllt energy to move rear-.

wardly,rit strikes the sharp edges of the secondscries of cutwaters 1%,wh1ch sepas rate it vertically into, another series ofmasses or bodies and deflect the side, portions of these toward each other as previously ex- -plained;it being notedv however, that the amount of sub-division isdoubled both 'vertically by the cutwaters and horizontally by the increased number of diaphragms. Af-

ter passing through the second diaphrag vmatlc structure, the water enters a second enlarged space betweenit and thethirddiaphragmatic structure where after striking the dead body of water contained therein, it encounters the increased number of cutwaters and horizontal diaphragms of said latter structure which so subdivide and deflect it that by the time it reaches the rear of the third structure it is in a quiescent state without destructive possibilities. I

Gbv1ously the imprisonment and compres-v sion of air in any quantity by a wave 1S 1111- possible, sincenthe many vertical channels provided through the various diaphragms permit of its free escape; as does also the spacebetween ;-the uppermost diaphragm and the floor '58., In orderhowever, to; guard against damage from exceptionally high waves, 1 may as shown in Flg. 6, vertically-extend the front cutwaters 1; andone or both of the columns 4 and 5 to the rear thereof, for any suitable distance above the vlevel .of the floor 58, and while running a cover 59 over these, provide it with air channels 60 communicating through ports or openings 61 with the space under said cover.

The air compressed by the upper part of a wave of unusual height would thus be permitted to escape through the channels'60' columns above the level. of the floor 58. In

the case of Fig. 6 that'portion, of the floor 58 within or underneath the cover extension 59 would be perforated or provided with openings between the columns 1-4 and 5 to permit of the descent ofany water enter in'g above it.

From the above description it will be noted that I have so designed my breakwater as to place in the path of the successive V supporting frames; a plurality of series of waves a relatively large number of obstacles or sharp barriers whereby it is vertically and horizontally sub-divided and in addition I also provide cavities of enlarged section whereby the sub-divided liquid bodies will not only be allowed to expand but will meet quiescent bodies of water which will dampen or retard their movement.

Iclaim: f

l. The combination in a breakewater of a supporting frame; and a' series of substantially horizontal perforated diaphragmscan ried thereby so as to present their edges to the waves.

2.,The combination horizontal perforated diaphragms carried thereby one above anotherisoas torpresent their edges to the waves; with'vertical cutwaters in front ofsaid diaphragms.

in a break-water of asupporting frame; a series, of substantially 3. The combination in a break-water of a supporting frame; and a plurality of series of substantially horizontalperforated diaphragms carried by saidzfram'e;

4. The combination in a break-water of a I supporting frame; a pluralityof series of a substantially horizontal, perforated dia- I l phragms carried by said frame; and spaced cutwat said diaphragms. Q 1 a 5. The combination: i'na break-water of a supportingframe; a pluralityof series of a substantially horizontal perforated 1 diaphragms carried by said frame; with spaced cutwaters respectively in front of the diaphragms of each series. 6. plurality of spaced series of horizontaljpen forated diaphra'gms and a series of spaced ers in front of atleast one series of,

The combination in a vbreak-water. of a cutwaters in front'of the diaphragms of each series.

.7. The combination'in a break-waterof 8. The combination in a breakwater of supporting frames and a plurality of series of horizontal perforated diaphragms respectively carried by said frames, the number, of diaphragms .in each series increasing with the distance of said series-from the front toward the rear of the breakwater.

9. The combination in a break-water of the number of said cutwaters in a definite length of the break-water increasing from the front series toward the rear.

10. The combination in a break-water of horizontal perforated diaphragms respectively carried by said, frames; with cutwatersin front of each series of diaphragms,

the number of said cutwaters in a definite length of the break-water increasing from the front series toward the rear and the number ofdiaphragms in. each series also parallel vertical planes the increasing from the front to the rear of the break-water.

11. The combination-"in a break-water of a plurality of series of columns arranged in outermost column on each series having a sharp vertical edge and an enlarged head; with a series of vertically spaced horizontal perforated'diaphragms carried by said columns.

12. The combination in a break-water of a plurality of series "of columns arranged in parallel vertical planes, the outermost column on each series having a sharp vertical edge and an enlarged head; with a series of superposed horizontal diaphragms carried by said columns, each of said diaphragms being composed of a series of panels spaced vertically from other diaphragms above or below it.

13'. Thecombination in a break-water of a plurality of frames each includ ng spaced vertical cutwaters and arranged onein front 7 of the other withsaid cutwaters directed toward the waves, the number ofcutwaterls of each frame increasing with its distance from the front toward the rear of the breakwater; and a series of superposed horizontal diaphragms carried by each of said frames and provided w th opemngsfor permitting the flow of waterfrom onelevel to another.

14. The combinationjin a break-water of a supporting frame having'cutwaters at its outer orforward face; a plurality of horizontal; spaced perforated diaphragms carried by'said frame; and a floor or cover for the break-water.

zontal spacedperforated diaphragms car-- ried by said frame; and a floor or cover for a break-water having its outer'or front portion at a higher thereof.

17. The combination in a break-water of a supporting frame having cutwaters at its outer or'forward'face; a plurality of spaced perforated diaphragms carried by said frame; and a floor or cover'for the break-' water having its outer or front portion at a higher level thanthel mainpart, thereof and provided withair passages in said front portion to permit of the escape of air from the interior-of the break-Water.

18. The combination in a break-water of a series ofcperfor'ated diaphragms arranged one abovethe other; with means adjacent" the forward or outer edges of said diaphragms'for vertically sub-dividing successive waves and thereafter causing the sub divisions to undergo successive compression and expansion.

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